Mechanism of lung damage in explosive decompression
Topliff, E.D.
Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine 47(5): 517-522
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0095-6562 PMID: 1275842 Document Number: 105646
It is known that pressure equalization via the trachea may diminish or prevent lung damage in explosive decompression. Closure of the trachea does not affect lethality in mice exposed to maximally rapid decompression. This observation suggests that in maximally rapid decompression the lungs and thorax may be treated as a closed system to which Boyle's Law might be applicable. On the basis of this assumption, a formula for calculation of the transthroacic pressure generated by explosive decompression is derived. Mortality is shown to be directly related to the transthoracic pressure as calculated by this formula. An empirical modification of the formula gives reasonable estimates of the transthroacic pressure generated in slower decompression where equalization of pressure via the trachea does occur. The study lends support to an hypothesis that lung damage results directly from the static transthoracic pressure generated by explosive decompression. A possible analogy to blast injury is adduced.